Another explosion in Cologne: cafe burned down, there are wounded

Another explosion in Cologne: a cafe burned down, there are wounded Irina Martsiyash

Explosion in Cologne/Collage 24 Channel, Getty Images, Unsplash/Rasmus Gundorff Sæderup (Illustrative photos)

Another explosion has occurred in the city of Cologne, Germany. This time it thundered in the Pesch district on the outskirts of the city.

A café burned down as a result of the incident. The Welt newspaper also reports injuries.

Explosion in Cologne

According to police, local residents reported a loud explosion at 2:45 a.m. Shortly after, a café on the first floor of an apartment building caught fire.

The cause of the fire is still unclear. According to local media, it was an incendiary device.

A police spokesperson said they were investigating whether the incident was related to the recent series of explosions.

A large number of police officers and firefighters arrived at the scene in the morning. According to a fire service spokesman, the building was already heavily damaged when firefighters arrived.

About 20 people were reportedly evacuated from their homes. The fire was extinguished about an hour later, at around 4 a.m., and residents were able to return to their homes.

Two residents were reportedly slightly injured and treated at the scene for suspected smoke inhalation. They were then released by emergency services.

The crime scene itself was reportedly cordoned off with red and white tape, and investigators were collecting evidence. According to an employee of a nearby bakery, the cafe had only opened a few months ago, and its owners were on vacation.

According to police, the extent of damage to other stores and apartments in the building is unknown. The investigation is currently ongoing, and law enforcement officials are looking for witnesses.